NMC to develop over 100 rickshaw shelters across city before Kumbh

Nashik: In a move to improve urban mobility ahead of the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has approved a plan to develop rickshaw shelters at over 100 locations across the city. The initiative aims to bring structure to autorickshaw operations while improving commuter convenience.The proposal, cleared by the civic body's general meeting, will upgrade existing autorickshaw stands into organised shelters on the lines of bus stops, with designated waiting areas for passengers.Officials said the plan is part of broader preparations for the mega religious event, which is expected to attract lakhs of devotees, and is intended to streamline traffic movement during the period.In a key financial relief for the civic body, the project will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, meaning NMC will not bear construction costs. The selected private agency will recover investment through advertising rights at the shelters."We are planning to develop these rickshaw stands under the PPP model. The contractor will be permitted to use a portion of the space for advertisements," a senior civic official said, adding that the project will help bring "uniformity and structure" to rickshaw operations across the city.Once operational, autorickshaws will be required to stop only at designated shelters, a move expected to reduce haphazard parking and ease traffic congestion. "This will introduce discipline among rickshaw operators and make it easier for commuters to access transport," the official added.Separately, the state tourism department is preparing a capacity-building programme for stakeholders in hospitality and transport, including autorickshaw drivers. The training will focus on communication skills, etiquette and tourist-friendly behaviour to improve visitor experience during the Kumbh Mela.The civic body has already begun several infrastructure upgrades, including junction redesigns, parking management measures and road improvements. It has also signed an MoU with a specialised institute to develop road infrastructure based on the ‘healthy streets' concept, prioritising pedestrians, cyclists and inclusive mobility.Officials said the rickshaw shelter project will complement these efforts and play a key role in managing transport demand during the Kumbh period.
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